Read what our
experts have to say.

Whether your little one has decided to climb out of the crib every chance they get, or you just feel it’s time for them to graduate to a big-kid bed, the transition from crib to bed can feel overwhelming. When is the right time? How do you prepare them? How do you make sure their space is safe? We asked our sleep expert, Natalie Willes, Pediatric Sleep Consultant, what parents need to know about this change. See her answers below. Q: What’s the “right time” to make the crib to bed transition? How do you know when your toddler is ready to move from crib to bed? 


Whether you’re planning to return to work or just want to pump extra breast milk so that other caregivers can feed the baby, knowing what you need is key to successful pumping. We asked Dana Czuczka, MPH, IBCLC, the expert that leads our breastfeeding classes, for her top tips for new and expecting parents when it comes to pumping. From what to consider when selecting a pump to knowing what essential items you’ll need, this ultimate pumping checklist will help set you up for pumping success.  The Ulti

Whether you’re feeding your baby formula or breast milk, learning how to pace bottle feedings can make a significant difference in your baby's feeding journey.Paced bottle feeding is a method that allows the infant to be more in control of the feeding pace so they don’t get stressed by the rate of milk flow, and can easily recognize the signs of when they are full. This bottle feeding method helps you respond to baby’s cues and ensure the feeding experience is comfortable and successful fo

 In this Ask an Expert, we ask Vanessa Thornton, RD, CSP, a registered dietitian and Board-Certified Specialist in Pediatrics—and the instructor that leads our Nutrition classes—  what parents should (or shouldn’t!) do when their toddler won’t use utensils. Question: Help! My toddler only eats with their hands vs. using a utensil. What should I do? Vanessa’s Answer: Don’t panic! Learning to use utensils is a skill tha

So, you've found yourself in a bit of a sticky situation with your toddler dropping some not-so-pleasant words. Don't worry, you're definitely not alone! It's pretty common for little ones to pick up words that we'd rather they didn't. Toddlers are naturally curious and often mimic what they hear around them, even if they don't fully understand the meaning of the words they're saying. As a parent it's important to approach this phase with patience and under

This year’s record-breaking wildfires in Canada not only continue to cause air quality issues throughout Canada and the United States, but with no end in sight, the ongoing smoke conditions leave parents asking exactly what the effects could be on their children.Understanding when & how to protect yourself and your children from wildfire smoke air pollution can be challenging, especially when it comes to safeguarding the health of our children. So, we asked our health and safety expert, Dr. Chase Parsons, a pediatric hospitalist, what parents need to know about the wildfire smoke this summer, how to protect little ones from the harmful effects of smokey air, and just

Getting your toddler ready for a trip can be an adventure in itself! Whether you're going on a quick getaway or a big journey, a little preparation goes a long way. So we asked our behavior expert, Claire Lerner, MSW, LCSW, what parents should keep in mind when heading out of town with their toddler. Plus, she shares some pro tips that will keep toddler turbulence at bay. Depending on the age of your toddler Claire suggests: 

Your mental health matters — get started with these 5 FREE classes. You may have heard of postpartum depression or PPD, but did you know that while it is one of the most common perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), it’s only one of many mental health complications that can arise during the perinatal period? 

By: Divya Kumar, LICSW, ScM, PMH-CYour mental health matters — get started with these classes. Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are the most common complication

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and while you may have intended to order that perfect gift weeks ago, sometimes life (or new parent brain) gets in the way. If you’re scrambling to find a last-minute gift that shows how much love and appreciation you have for the mom in your life, not to worry! There are still plenty of options that are thoughtful, wished-for, AND you can have in time for Mother’s Day. From presents that take some of the mental load off of mom to heartfelt gestures, or memorable experiences, we’ve got you covered with some great ideas for last-minute Mother’s Day presents.Last minute Mother

By: Vanessa Thornton, Pediatric Dietician and Tinyhood Introducing Solids InstructorWhen your little one shows they are ready for starting solids, you’ll start feeding them “real food” more and more frequently until they are getting most of their nutrition from solid foods, like adults. This transition usually happens over a matter of months, sometimes longer, often leaving parents wondering how to balance breast milk or formula intake with solid foods. Here are some of the most-asked questions about milk intake and solids I get from parents, answered.  Q: Do Babies Drink Less Milk or Formula After Starting Sol

Ah, the fourth trimester. This time after giving birth is usually something parents put little thought into until they are in it. But what does “preparing for postpartum” mean exactly? We asked Tinyhood expert Ashley Sousa, a labor and delivery nurse and the instructor that leads our childbirth classes, just what expecting parents should do to prepare for postpartum.Aside from having a new little life to take care of, the fourth trimester is a time of healing, new experiences, and a lot of changes to you

As your due date gets closer, you will probably be eagerly awaiting your baby arrival. And, while there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to knowing exactly when baby will come, there are some signs that labor is coming soon. We asked our expert, Ashley Sousa, an experienced labor and delivery nurse and instructor for our childbirth classes, to explain what expecting parents can look out for that indicates labor is near. Some early signs labor is approaching: Nesting. This is when the parent feels a strong urge (and usually a new burst of energy!) to start prepa

When you think of labor, you likely think of what you see in movies — long (sometimes short!) periods of contractions, pushing, screaming, then baby is here. But there are actually 3 different stages of labor you will go through.  We asked expert Ashley Sousa, an experienced labor and delivery nurse, and instructor for our Childbirth classes, what the three stages are, and what to expect from each one. Remember, every parent, labor, and body is different, so it’s important to learn what to expe

There are a lot of things to think about as you are preparing for a life-changing event like childbirth.  The third trimester brings a lot of new considerations and new feelings— both physically and emotionally. One common pain that a lot of pregnant people experience is Braxton Hicks contractions. This type of contraction is nothing to be alarmed about, but if you’re feeling it before the 36-week mark, it may be your body’s way of telling you you’re doing too much.While Braxton Hicks contractions may seem scary at first, the key is knowing how to tell the difference between them and regular labor contractions. So, we asked labo

When you’re pregnant, your doctor gives you a long list of foods to avoid — soft cheese, unpasteurized dairy, lunch meat, raw fish, and more. But, for a lot of parents, the questions around what they can and cannot eat extend to after the baby is born when they are breastfeeding. While there are no specific guidelines around foods to avoid while breastfeeding, there is some information to keep in mind. So we asked Tinyhood expert, Vanessa Thornton, a pediatric nutritionist, to share some of the most common questions parents ask her when it comes to their diet when breastfeeding. Plus, see her answers below.  Q:

Postpartum mental health is nothing to take lightly. It is important for you and your baby’s health to take these symptoms seriously and seek help if needed. If you need assistance in finding resources near you, contact Postpartum Support International at 800-944-4773. If you are in crisis, call your local emergency number or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).Your mental health matters — 

When you think of labor you likely think of what you see in movies — long (sometimes short!) periods of contractions, pushing, screaming, then baby is here. But there are actually 3 different stages of labor you will go through.  We asked our expert Ashley Sousa, the labor and delivery nurse and instructor that leads our Childbirth: What to Expect, Pain Management & More, what the three stages are, and what to expect from each one. Remember, every parent, labor, and body is different, so it’s essential to learn what to expect from labor and delivery so you can prepare and embark o

When it comes to breastfeeding there's a lot to learn – for many, it’s not as natural and simple as they imagine. But, learning what to expect from your body and your baby before you start on your breastfeeding journey can set you up for success. We asked our expert Dana Czuczka (IBCLC), the instructor for our Breastfeeding

When babies cry parental instinct is to soothe them right away. There’s a myriad of reasons your baby might be fussing, but often overtiredness is the culprit. Whether they’ve been fighting naps all day, are overstimulated, or are just in their witching hour, having some tricks up your sleeve to calm them is key. So, we asked our newborn sleep expert, Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant Jennifer Denzel, what parents can do to lull their little ones to sleep. Her answer? Sometimes, all you need is to fall back on the 5 S's, a soothing technique from the pros (spoiler alert: It works like a charm!). 

Constipation in children is quite common these days for a variety of reasons. Children who experience constipation even just one time can be fearful of pooping and choose to withhold their poop. This causes them to be more at risk for constipation, which can lead to additional complications like chronic constipation. Chronic constipation may then lead to other complications, or it could signal an underlying condition. So, what’s a parent to do? We asked Pediatric Pelvic Floor OT, Quiara Smith, the expert that leads our Potty Training classes how to tell if your child is constipated, what to do if they ar

New parents often daydream of the time they can say goodbye to diapers and hello to a kid who can use the potty on their own. And, while that may be a few years off for parents of newborns, there is a diaper-free method that enlists caregivers to respond to baby’s need to use the bathroom even from birth.  The method is called Elimination Communication and it claims to help prepare children for future potty training and teach them to use the toilet on their own sooner than most people think. However, this method is controversial and not all experts agree.  Pediatric pelvic health specialist and OT Quiara Smith cautions that Elimination Communication does not fol

You’ve probably heard of cradle cap, but when it comes to your own little one, dealing with this skin occurrence can seem like a daunting task.  Cradle cap is a scaly rash on the scalp that starts in newborns, usually beginning in the first 2-6 weeks of life. It often appears as patches of white or yellow scales attached to baby’s scalp that can be both greasy or dry. The exact cause of cradle cap is not known.  Some doctors believe it has to do with mom’s hormonal changes during pregnancy that stimulate the infant’s oil glands, causing scales and redness in baby’s skin. Dead skin cells usually fall off but this excess oil causes it

Finding maternity clothes that match your style (or any style for that matter!) can be hard, but finding stylish plus size maternity clothes can be even harder. Luckily a lot of brands have started to come out with inclusive sizing and options for all body types. From popular chains like Old Navy and Target to more boutique stores and online shops like PinkBlushMaternity, Girlfriend Collective and Tiffany Rose — and even some great options from Amazon— women looking for great plus size maternity clothes options for everything from loungewear to formal dresses, do have some options. Below are a few of our favorite places to shop for plus-size mat

  In our opinion, dresses are the MVP of maternity clothing. Whether it’s a long sleeve dress paired with tights and boots for winter, or a light and breezy sundress paired with flip flops for summer,  the best maternity dresses grow with you, make it simple to put an outfit together, and always make you look and feel your best.   Maternity Dresses for Spring:  The Esme Dress, $258